A Gentle Balance

I pushed myself up onto my bare feet, testing my joints after resting for so long. The carpet fibers felt dense and soft beneath my soles. Nearby, Gold was still resting peacefully, so I kept my movements as quiet as possible. Remembering a basic karate stance, I stepped one foot back, bent my knees low, and raised my palms forward to steady my breath. My foot slipped slightly on a stray smooth plastic block, but I caught myself in time with a quick shift of weight, keeping completely silent so I wouldn't disturb his sleep.